Two years on from October 7th, where do we find ourselves?
The world has changed profoundly since that dreadful day in 2023. But as we remember the 1,200 people murdered, the pain remains raw. We stand in solidarity – and shared mourning – with Jewish communities worldwide. Our grief is only compounded by last week’s appalling events in Manchester.
It can be hard to make sense of this fragile, shaken world. The past two years have brought almost inconceivable levels of human suffering.
Yet today’s news of a first-stage ceasefire deal offers cautious hope. We pray that it marks the beginning of a future where all in the region can live in peace and safety.
At this time, our hearts remain with the hostages, held now for twenty-four months in horrendous circumstances. News that they may soon be released is truly a blessing. We wish them and their families continued strength and courage.
We remain deeply pained too by the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. Our shared humanity makes these losses unbearable – Gaza lies in ruins, and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe is truly devastating. We must see a major increase in aid entering the strip to end the famine and begin recovery.
Now, more than ever, we must remain guided by our values of compassion. Division has deepened around the world, but we simply cannot afford to forget what ties us all together, nor allow our pain to be exploited by those who spread hate. We have to commit to a world of safety and dignity for all.
It is only by standing together with others and staying true to our values that we can forge a better future. That must be our responsibility, two years on from October 7th.
